Hills Development Squads
The Hills Development Squads Program aims to strengthen grassroots football within the Hills by providing a selective program for Hills players to access high-quality coaching and player development opportunities. In doing so, Development Squads aims to strengthen the technical foundation and decision-making skills of players, raising their personal development, whilst creating high-quality players involved in Hills Football Competitions.
Starting in 2024, Hills Development Squads have been delivered as a Pre-JDL Age Program (Mixed U7’s-U8’s & Girls U9’s). During the inaugural year of the Program 11 players involved in the Program transitioned to a Hills United Pathway Team, whilst a number of others made the next step in their Player Pathway Journey at different Representative Programs across NSW.
With the announcement of the Association Youth League being discontinued at the conclusion of 2025, Hills Football and Hills United finds an opportunity to expand on the current delivery of the Hills Development Squads. This is to ensure that as an organisation we continue our commitment to ensuring players within the Hills are exposed to development opportunities and building on the link between community and representative football.
What are Development Squads
Hills Development Squads is a selective only program that provides players within the Hills additional Player Development Opportunities through training and games under the guidance of the Hills United FC and Hills Football Technical Departments.
Hills Development Squads is designed to complement Hills Football Member Club Training and support players as they progress through the Player Pathway.
The following Age groups are delivered:
Player Selection
Within each age group a total of 8 to 16 players will be selected.
For Goalkeeper Sessions 1-2 Goalkeepers are selected per age group.
Player Selection occurs just after the Representative Trial Period, with a clear link for players who just miss out on a Pathway Team (HUFC) and are offered spots within the Hills Development Squads for the upcoming Season.
Player Selection also factors in those who are currently within a Pathway Team, who may not be retained for a Pathway Team, however may be offered a spot into Hills Development Squads. This also currently includes those registered as part of the Hills Football Association Youth League Program for the 2025 season.
The Selection of Players is also in collaboration with Hills Football Member Clubs. Upon each Player Selection period, Clubs are invited to nominate players who demonstrate strong potential, commitment, and the right attitude for development at a higher level.
The Main Criteria for Player Selection is that Players must be registered for a Hills Football Member Club.
For the first season of the Development Squads Program, trials will be delivered for the Boys Youth League Age Groups (U13’s-U16’s) will take place on the 26th of October and 2nd of November in 2025.
If you are interested in participating in trials, please complete the following Expression of Interest.
https://form.jotform.com/251758370291865
Coach Allocation
Within the Hills Football Development Squads a Head Coach will be allocated per team. Additionally, it is favourable if each team is also allocated an Assistant Coach
Head Coaches within the Program must have a minimum of a C Diploma or working towards acquiring a C Diploma.
Assistant Coaches within the Program must have a minimum of a Foundation of Football Certificate.
Final coaching appointments will be made at the discretion of the HFI Assistant Technical Director Nick FitzGerald, the HUFC Technical Director Kevin Lester and HFI/HUFC Head of Football Jason Eagar.
Training Delivery
Training sessions will be delivered on a Wednesday Night and/or Sunday Afternoon at either Stringer Road Reserve or Russell Reserve.
Program Length is different for Age Groups of the Program.
- 30-week Program for Boys Youth League Program
- 20-week Program for Pre-JDL, Pre-GJDL Programs, JDL, GJDL
- 5-weeks – 19th of November to 17th of December (end of Term 4) – BYL Only
- 10-weeks – 4th of February to 8th of April (Term 1)
- 10-weeks – 29th of April to 30th June (Term 2)
- 5-weeks – 22nd of July to 12th of August (Start of Term 3 to End of Season) – BYL Only
Program delivery will be overseen by the Hills Football and Hills United Technical Department, with on-the-ground supervision from the Assistant Technical Director, Nick FitzGerald.
Sessions will follow the Player Development Objectives and Principles of the Hills Way.
There will be opportunties throughout the duration of the Program for selected players to train with HUFC teams in their respective age groups.
Trainings will be 1 hour in duration and will follow the graphic below:
Game Delivery
During the Program Duration, Hills Development Squads will look to combine with other Football NSW Associations to play games.
All Squads and Teams will endeavour to play as many games as possible throughout the duration of the Program Length (minimum 4 games played). Games could be scheduled either within the Hills or at other locations within Sydney.
Additionally, games will be scheduled to maximise availability of both Players and Coaches within the Program.
If there is a clash with their HFI Club games or training, players in the Development Squads Program are required to prioritise their HFI Member Club commitments over the Development Squads Program.
The following age groups will additionally be part of the planned Football NSW Association Championships, being delivered in the July School Holidays:
Boys U13’s & U15’s
For more information about the Hills Development Squads – please contact Nick FitzGerald – nick.fitzgerald@hillsfootball.com.au
